After Isaac's and Miles's Christmas programs, our holiday road continued with WINTER parties at Plano. I love that Karson and Isaac's classrooms are in the same hallway at school. Most of the 3rd grade classes are on the opposite end of the school. I'm not sure why Karson's class is in the wing with the 1st/2nd graders, but it sure is handy on party days.
Isaac's class was rolling on FULL throttle when we arrived (can you tell based on the picture?). Karson's class was calm and collected. I've noticed as the kids get older, the parties seem more low-key. I chalk that up to a variety of reasons: the kids are "to cool" for Christmas BINGO, making reindeer magnets for the 4th year in a row gets old, parents aren't as involved and look goofy taking pictures (aka ME, I think I'm the ONLY 3rd grade parent that STILL takes pics at parties), the realization that Santa is a myth?, all they really want to do at the end of the day is eat pizza and do a gift exchange, and so on. SO, Miles and I usually spend most of our time with Isaac. Miles is the weirdest lil' guy when we attend these parties. He's SO anti-social and clings to me like a leech. I wish he'd relax a bit and enjoy the party--Ms. Vincent and Ms. Tinsley are always welcoming him in and trying to get him involved, but NOPE, he won't budge. Because of my extra appendage, it makes it pretty impossible to help with crafts or snacks. I usually trip right over him. I sure hope he isn't as clingy when he starts kindergarten. It will be hard enough sending him to school, and if he's crying, it will tug at my heart strings something fierce.
Isaac and Patrick playing with their reindeer magnets. Karson's class did a book exchange which I liked because Karson likes reading. AND, bonus, books are cheap. Isaac's class did stocking stuffers. I purchased sticky hands for 22 kids.
Isaac putting the goodies in the stockings.-----------------
SCHOOL'S OUT which means it time to begin our Christmas-time fun. We started with building our Ginger Bread House. Why is it that the house on the box looks WAY better than the finished product?
The kids decided to EAT the Ginger Bread House this year instead of letting it sit and rot and eventually be thrown away. This method was FINE BY ME. I would much rather them eat the thing and be done with it.
I did snap some pictures of Miles in the "devouring" stage. My kids only had a few bites before they were D-O-N-E. I think Isaac ate about 20 gumballs in a row.
The Community Kids annual Christmas play was on Sunday. The play was titled "Live From Bethlehem". The play was told from the perspective of news reporters surrounding the scene of the Christmas story.
Karson, Walker and the hooligans in their scene.
Miles and Trapper in their traditional preschool roles of "extras". Miles was a cow, and Trapper a shepherd.
The preschool crew.A Christmas clip.
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We were able to spend some time with some of our closest pals, the DeVries, on Monday night. They had us over for dinner. The kids had the best time hanging out, and the adults did too! The kids had fun playing the X-Box Kinect Dance Central. Miles had his first dance experience that night. I don't think he's ever played. Sidenote: I got all the kids SD cards for their DSi's so they can play music on their game systems. They all LOVE music. Isaac has an extensive list of artists and songs. He loaded his up with all his music: The Beach Boys, Beatles, Coldplay, Michael Jackson, Ke$ha, Gaga, Maroon 5, The Spice Girls and so on and so on. Karson had a much smaller list. Her favorite song right now is "Stereo Hearts" by Gym Class Heroes. Miles had TWO main requests: Rump Shaker and U Can't Touch This. Miles was SUPER excited that the song RUMP SHAKER was on the Kinect. I think he did that dance at least 10 times while were there.On Tuesday night, we went on a group date with Shannon and Paul and Lisa and Daniel to Nashville. We ate at Logan's Steakhouse and went to the IMAX to see Mission Impossible IV.
A friend of mine organized a trip on Wednesday to Extreme Gymnastics in Glasgow. I think I've been there one other time for a birthday party but didn't remember much about it. It was wonderful! It was $5 for the entire day. You could bring in food and drinks. Lots of Karson and Isaac's school friends went, and we pretty much occupied the entire place. It was a nice way to burn off some energy.
Group picture in the foam cube pit.
The kids had sleepovers that night. Karson and Elizabeth spent the night with Meme. Isaac spent the night with Evan. I planned a playdate at Chick Fil A that Thursday morning with Miles's friend Samuel so he would have something to look forward to (and not feel left out). Karson and Elizabeth went with Meme to Zumba at Curves the next day. Mom said they were the cutest, and all the ladies at Curves enjoyed having them there. After CFA and Zumba, we went over to Shannon's for some playtime.
We took the kids to see Santa at the mall on Friday afternoon.
And then to the library afterwards. If you remember, Isaac won the sled last year from the Winter Reading log at the library (with only TWO entries). He's already filled up an entire card and is working on his second one. Karson is reading longer books so hasn't filled up a card yet but is almost there. Maybe we'll get lucky and win again???
The holiday BEGINS Christmas Eve morning at my parents house.
Mom got Karson and Isaac WhatNot Muppets. Poppy sporting a Muppet wig =).
WE LOVE THE MUPPETS: here we are at the theater opening day!
Miles got a Mario Kinect set. When mom and I got it at Toys R Us a few weeks back, I didn't think it would take up THAT much space. It covers most of our living room floor right now. And, the race cars have already gone through one round of six AAA batteries. But, he sure does like it.
Miles showing Poppy all the tricks of a Kindle Fire.
Just Dance 3 for the Wii. Thanks Uncle Mike for this present for Karson. We spent the afternoon dancing. I have started using the Just Sweat workout. Dancing (in the privacy of my own home) is a quick and easy way to lose some weight. I've been to one Zumba class, and the girl in front of me might as well have been on "Dancing With the Stars." At one point, I thought about sitting down and just watching her dance. I don't think group dancing is my thing at this point.
We went to Matt's Mamaw's house late that afternoon and evening. I ask for you blog followers of mine to keep Mamaw Deaton in your prayers. She's been in pain for some time now. It started around October 1 when she had a bad sinus infection. It's been a downward spiral since, and she cannot get any relief from pain on the right side of her head/neck. She's been working with my brother-in-law Paul this week at the Pain Clinic. We're hoping he can find a way to get her comfortable again.
CHRISTMAS
MORNING
AT OUR HOUSE!!!Whoa, the kids were up and ready to go at 6:45 a.m. I think most of the presents were open by 6:50. Karson had her typical toy overload meltdown and time out around 7:15 and Miles followed around 7:30. Isaac got some new Dino Lego's, Miles got his 3DS and Karson got a Squinkies Mall. And, obviously, based on this gigantic mess, they got a lot of other things.
Since Christmas was on a Sunday this year, our church simply had worship only. We met at 10:30 a.m. The children did most of the service alternating reading lines from the birth of Jesus, and we sang Christmas carols in between. It was the perfect way to honor our Savior.
We went home and decompressed for about two hours before heading over to Colvin and Debbie's for Christmas with them and the Bradford side of the family.
I didn't get a picture of Isaac opening his gift. He manages to open presents ultra-quick. I did get pictures of Karson and Miles. Our children are blessed beyond measure and so are we. Happy Holiday Road 2011 to all!
Karson's Santa thoughts: we had a conversation a few weeks ago about Santa. It was an incredibly odd week. I had a preschool mother tell me that she had told her 3 year old daughter the TRUTH about Santa. I really wasn't sure how to process that information right before all the holiday madness. This was a first for me. The mom told me that she told their daughter NOT TO SPOIL it for others but that she simply couldn't lie to her. Without giving my thoughts on that matter and respecting their decisions, I bring you back to my Karson. I believe it was the same week, Karson and I had the Santa discussion. She had said a few things about him making me think she no longer believed. I finally flat out asked her, "Karson do you know something about Santa?" She said, "yes." I said, "well you know who doesn't know?" She said, "yeah I know, Isaac and Miles." I said, "Yeah, and we need to keep it that way." I feel like if I had KEPT Santa going at this point, it would be lying to her. She is 9 years old and pretty smart. I wouldn't feel right about it, BUT I certainly don't want to steal the magic away from the other two. I talked to Shannon about it, and she told me Evan and Elizabeth have had lots of questions about Santa too--it's only a matter of time before the 7 year olds figure it out. AND, I know there are school kids who blab about it which is probably why Karson started questioning it in the first place. SO, this year has changed for Karson. I can tell she is more hesitant about asking for stuff =( since she knows the TRUTH.
My sweet 
Isaac's Santa thoughts: I can ask for an iPad, iPhone, animal, whatever I want and he will DEEEE-LIVER. I'm surprised he hasn't figured it out because I am ALWAYS coming up with some rebuttal to his requests. Seriously, an iPhone? Isaac always has a list as long as I-65. 
This year's list: dagedars, the trash pack, dino leogs, labtop, headphones, helium tank, donkey kong for dsi, xbox 3 for kinect, just dance 3, and #10 a box of money. Oh what a list!
My lil' wild child tearing into his presents.
Miles Santa thoughts: well he's five and hasn't clued into the fact that he's already told a few different Santa's what he wants for Christmas. Of course, I haven't listened in on the conversations. I would hope he might say, "How many times do I have to TELL YOU!?!?" (like he adamantly says to me when he has to repeat himself). He has never been afraid of Santa. He's not afraid of much. He has to be one of the most content 5 year olds on the planet. My mom took him birthday shopping back in October and he came home with toys he already had =). Turkey! He hasn't told me one thing he wants for Christmas but has finally settled on a Nintendo 3DS because it has NEW Mario game. Gee, thanks for that one Nintendo marketers. I don't know why I bother getting him other presents (besides the Santa one). Last year his stack of unopened gifts sat dormant for hours on Christmas morning. He got a Dsi from Santa and really wasn't interested in anything else. In fact, I think I even took some of the gifts back. On the bright side, if anyone is interested in a practically BRAND NEW Dsi, I will have one for sale after Christmas. Let me know.
My content child.
We weren't in Louisville very long since we were late and the party had to wind down around 5:oo for church service. I was able to snag just a few photos. I love this one of Miles and Katie Bell (my cousin Lyndi's little girl). She was intent watching Miles play his game. I heard her say in the sweetest little soprano voice, "Did ya win?" CU-TE. If only we all lived closer, oh the fun all of our kids would have together. They are all so close in age.
Our Dirty Santa tradition continues. I always buy gifts that I want and usually COME HOME with those gifts. This year it was a Gingerbread House (prevents me from having to buy one) and a Christmas puzzle (ditto). These are things I like to do with the kids and viola, I managed to get both =). Win, win for us.
Miles completely wiped out after our whirlwind travel. Love that I get to see all my dad's extended family. I know a day is coming when we will grow TO LARGE for get togethers, but I cherish our time together now. 
